Rangers trade Joakim Soria to Tigers for pair of pitching prospects
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The Detroit Tigers are addressing their bullpen issues by acquiring a proven closer.
The Tigers tonight announced the club has acquired RHP Joakim Soria from the Rangers in exchange for RHPs Corey Knebel and Jake Thompson.
— Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) July 24, 2014
Soria, who has converted 17 of his 19 save opportunities for the Rangers, will serve as an alternative for struggling closer Joe Nathan in Detroit. The 30-year-old righty also boasts a 2.70 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP in 33 1/3 innings pitched. The Tigers have a $7 million option on him for next season.
Sources say #Tigers were locked in on Soria and did not heavily pursue #Padres’ Benoit (a former Tiger).
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 24, 2014
The Rangers will receive a pair of right-handed pitching prospects in return.
Knebel, 22, has appeared in eight games for Detroit this season, allowing six earned runs over 8 2/3 innings of work. Thompson, the Tigers' third-round selection in the 2013 draft, isn't quite MLB-ready and has appeared in three games for Class-A Western Michigan. Both hurlers are Texas natives.
Tigers relievers took an ugly 4.41 ERA into action Wednesday, which ranks 26th in the major leagues.
Fantasy owners looking for a closer should keep their eye on Neftali Feliz, Shawn Tolleson and Neal Cotts, who all have a chance to now close games for Texas with Soria's departure.